Gran Torino is not only directed by Clint Eastwood, he also stars as the main character in the film, Walt Kowalski, a widowed Korean War Veteran. Clint Eastwood is a personality actor, but also a star. Everyone recognizes his name and his work. Eastwood’s vision with this movie speaks volumes about his own integrity and depth as not only an actor and director, but as a human being. His stardom could have easily overwhelmed the message of this movie, especially considering that many of the other cast members were not well-known. Eastwood keeps a sharp eye on the messages his movie is meant to convey. I would say that Eastwood’s acting style is a combination of realism acting, which is meant to portray true human interactions; along with stylized acting such as when Walt crushes the glass in his hand after the neighbor girl is raped by the street gang.
Father Janovich is played by Christopher Carley, who has played in many movies of all types of genres. I did not expect such a wide range of genres for this actor. This fact puts him in the category of character actor or even possibly a wild card. Carley’s acting in Gran Torino was very much realism acting, as seen by his attempts to relate to Walt, but also method acting had to be used since he played the part of a Catholic Priest.
The Barber (Martin) in the town is played by John Carroll-Lynch who is also one of those very versatile actors that we have seen in many movies, yet never really knew who he was. He is also a character actor who can also be a wild card. His roll called for some stylized acting (overacting); such as when Walt brings Thao in for a lesson on how men talk to and greet each other in the grownup world. Thao’s response to the lesson provides a moment of comic relief when he leaves the barber shop and comes back in to try out his technique. There is also the underlying element of the obvious language barrier that the young man has to navigate.
This film is well worth a watch.
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Gran Torino – Trailer – YouTube
May 9, 2009 – Uploaded by AlexTube95Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong …
References:Christopher Carley Filmography and Movies-FandangoGoodykoontz, B. & Jacobs, C.P.(2014) Film: From Watching to seeing (2nd ed.) San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, IncJohn Carroll-Lynch Celebrity I TV Guide http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities.johncarroll-lynch-157803